Small-Business Rally

Staten Island's small-business owners to rally for regulatory relief

Staten Island's small-business owners have big axes to grind.

Their taxes are increasing, as are permit and licensing fees; reporting requirements are stricter, and more penalties are being imposed. They have laid off employees, scaled back hours, raised prices -- or shut their doors for good.

On Wednesday, they will rally at 7:30 a.m. outside Circuit City in New Springville, vacant since last March, to press government policy makers for regulatory change.

"The "Stop Suffocating Small Business Rally," organized by the BUCKS Business Network and members of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, is the first step in a drive to make the borough more attractive to businesses that are the backbone of the local economy.

Staten Island Advance/Irving SilversteinRobert Cutrona says his tax tab has ballooned. "We drive the economic engine, people look to us to create jobs, but we don't have enough money left to create jobs," said Robert Cutrona, president of Project One Services, a building-maintenance and construction-services firm in Meiers Corners.

"The small business sector has been the go-to guy for all the city, state and, less frequently, the federal government's shortfalls. We're easy targets because we don't have the clout of a lobby."

Cutrona has watched his corporate taxes increase 12 percent, by $14,000 a year since 2008. This year, property taxes cost him $4,000 and vehicle registration fees were another $2,800. He has paid $12,000 toward the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Tax, in which small business owners pay 34 cents for every $100 of payroll as part of a $1.8 billion agency bailout.

The increased government levies have left some toying with the idea of relocating to New Jersey, considered to be a more business-friendly state with fewer taxes and regulatory requirements.

"In order to stay steady, we have to increase prices, so our customers are affected, too," Cutrona said. "This is not about greed or increasing profits on our part. This is simply about survival."

Scott Weisberg, the owner of Everything Entertainment, an event production company in Mariners Harbor, has waited hours at the city Buildings Department for permits, only to be denied because of a missing digit in a phone number.

He spends more time warding off "overzealous" inspectors -- and their fines -- than setting up his events, and once had to forgo amusement rides for 300 children because an inspector deemed the site's electrical wiring was not up to code.

"The system is so broken, there is so much waste," Weisberg said. "To put up a temporary tent for a few hours, we have to provide the same documentation as if we were putting up a skyscraper."

Before the economic meltdown, Weisberg employed at least a dozen full-timers and between 60 and 70 on a part-time basis during his busy season. He has since downsized to five full-time employees and between 20 and 25 part-time workers.

"I have to pass the added burden on to my customers and they are strapped, too, because of the poor economy," he said.

To learn more about the rally, call Cutrona at 718-761-8390. Business owners and customers are invited.

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